Lorin Thompson Tribute (1980)

Written by Adam

I recently picked up a few more back issues from a seller in Rochester, New York wishing to sell off some of his collection. There isn't much left that I do not possess, but I looked through my lists and decided to purchase all of the issues he was offering from 1980 because I really did not have many from that year at that time. When you purchase back issues, you're never quite sure what you're going to get. Needless to say, I was most surprised when I came across the December 1980 issue with a story titled "Ranger Rick and a Special Friend" in the table of contents. Considering I've seen just about every issue out there, I wasn't sure who the special friend was....it actually had me stumped! The hints and clues given should've told me it was Lorin Thompson, and they're craftily written to keep it suspenseful, but in all honesty, its all true when you go back and read it.

I sent a copy of this tribute to Judy and Sandy Thompson (Lorin's daughters) and they were in as much awe of the piece as I was. Its really nice to be appreciated for the work you do, for the people you know. Based on the interview with Judy and Sandy a couple of years back, Lorin had high respect for the people at the National Wildlife Federation and the editors. It was really nice for them to repay the favor by allowing young readers to actually see the person behind the artwork (albeit a self-portrait) and present through the clues, what made Lorin Thompson's artwork so special. It was a nice surprise to come across!

Drawings by Lorin Thompson